Creigh Deeds remembers turning his back just before his son attacked him , stabbing the Virginia state senator multiple times .

Deeds had gone out to the barn to feed the horses . His son , Austin `` Gus '' Deeds , came across the yard .

`` I said , ` Hey bud , how 'd you sleep ? ' He said , ` fine . ' I turned my back ... and he was just on me , '' Deeds told CBS ' `` 60 Minutes '' in an interview that aired Sunday night .

`` I said , ` Gus , I love you so much . ' I said , ` Do n't make this any worse than it is . ' He just kept coming at me . ''

Deputies called to Deeds ' home day before fatal fight

Less than 24 hours before the November 19 stabbing , Deeds ' son had undergone an evaluation by mental health professionals while he was under an emergency custody order .

Officials reportedly had to release Gus , 24 , because no psychiatric bed was available and an individual could only be held under emergency custody for up to six hours .

`` The system failed my son , '' Deeds said he told a representative of the county agency that manages mental health care .

`` I was concerned that if he came home there was going to be a crisis , '' Deeds told `` 60 Minutes . ''

After Newtown , mental health gains prominence in gun debate

That night , Deeds and his son sat at opposite ends of a dining room table at the residence in Millboro . Deeds ate while Gus wrote furiously in his journal .

`` I felt like there 'd be a confrontation but I did n't , I had no reason to think there 'd be violence , '' Deeds said .

The next morning , Gus stabbed his father in the chest and head . He then turned a gun on himself and died .

Deeds still bears scars on his face . In spite of the attack , he told `` 60 Minutes '' that Gus was a `` great kid . ... perfect son . ''

He said he hopes that his son is not defined by his illness and that his life will have a positive impact .

The Democratic lawmaker has introduced legislation that targets mental health services in the commonwealth .

His agenda for the 2014 session includes proposals that would create a psychiatric bed registry and expand the time limit for emergency custody orders .

`` I want people to remember the brilliant , friendly , loving kid that was Gus Deeds , '' his father said .

`` We 'll use Gus , I hope , to address mental health and to make sure that other people do n't have to suffer through this . ''

Creigh Deeds : ' I am alive for a reason '

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Sen. Creigh Deeds was stabbed multiple times by his son , Gus

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`` I turned my back ... and he was just on me , '' Deeds tells `` 60 Minutes ''

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He says he hopes other families do n't have to suffer what his has